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The Championship SkyBet Play Off Finals

Every year for at least six Football League clubs the
season comes down to 270 minutes plus of nail biting tension. This
year it was the turn of QPR and Derby in the Championship, Leyton
Orient and Rotherham in League 1 and Burton Albion and Fleetwood in
League 2.

For QPR it was a first chance return to the giddy heights of the
Barclays Premier League.

For Men United it was a chance to get in front of yet more fans
both inside and outside Wembley stadium. And it was also a chance
to reward and champion some of our heroes from the season, the ones
we'd like to see get promoted.

William Kilgannon reports from Wembley stadium.

SKYBET CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY OFF FINAL

Pot 'O Gold At The End Of The Rainbow by William
KilgannonMatch report: Derby County 0 - 1 QPRSaturday 24 May 2014

A sell out, at the Wembley stadium, 87348 fans in attendance,
waited in anticipation for their idols to come out on the pitch, to
play a game that meant so much.

The sky was grey, but the colours of the supporters of both
teams were bright in comparison. The time had come, the players
were coming out on the pitch, the moment they had been waiting
for.

How did they feel, as they lined up at the edge of the red
carpet, proud, excited, or just plain ambitious destined for
glory?

The heavens opened and all those on the pitch got drenched by
the shower of rain, but nothing could dampen the spirits of
everyone there. The national anthem played out followed by the roar
of the crowd, the game was about to begin.

QPR showed their experience with a very skilled first half. But
Derby dominated from the kick off. Austin (QPR striker) made a
brilliant effort from 30 yards on the 7th minute mark. QPR fans
were holding there breath after a risky challenge in the box by
Dunne (QPR defender) on Hughes (a Derby midfielder) but nothing was
given. Then a free kick was awarded to Derby. It was left by
everyone, but Green (QPR goalkeeper) wasn't taking any risks and he
pushed it wide.

After half time the tension was becoming stronger and stronger by
the minute.

Traore (QPR midfielder) then made an excellent run and pulled it
back to Austin but he couldn't get it on target. Harry Redknapp
then took off Doyle (QPR) for Zamora (QPR striker).

Then Russell (Derby midfielder) thinking he was Messi, ran
past 3 players, and threaded the ball through the legs of Dunne and
sprinted towards goal, but O'Neil (QPR defender) put a stop to it
by diving in on Russell and earn't himself a red card.

QPR fans were disgusted with the decision but I thought it was a
definite sending off. On the 68th minute mark, Bryson (Derby
midfielder) tested out QPR's goalie Green with a powerful
shot but Green had it covered. Martin (Derby striker) then gave
Green another scare by hitting the ball towards the near post but
England's old keeper put it out for a corner. With 15mins left of
the game, the ball landed to Dawkins (Derby midfielder) who had a
shot on goal only to be saved yet again by Green. Green
pushed the ball back out to Ward ( a Derby midfielder) , only to be
blocked by his own team mate Martin.

At the 89minute, we all thought it would go to extra time but
then the spectacular happened. Hoilet (QPR midfielder) crossed the
ball into the box, but Keogh (Derby defender) lost his footing and
the ball fell at the feet of QPR striker Bobby Zamora. Zamora
hit it first time, on the volley and BANG the ball bulges into the
back of the net.

"GOAL!" the crowd screamed. "BOBBY ZAMORA!"
filled the Wembley air. 1-0. Blue and white flags of QPR filled one
half of the stadium and tears filled the other half.

To sum it all up, two teams, with one goal (1 - 0), rain at the
start, sunshine at the end, and a pot 'O gold for QPR at the end of
the rainbow.